Baw Baw Part 2 - The training recommences!

So, winter has come and gone! Layers of adipose tissue that had been removed prior to the hibernation (read not sleeping just being lazy in a good paddock) period have returned and it is time to work back down to a playing weight suitable for summer and our fast approaching trip to Tassie!

With three walks planned over the next month our return to Baw Baw was our first. Before I get too far into the story, I have to say that Andrea has maintained a good level of physical activity over winter, while I haven't!

Our intention was to do a repeat of our previous trip to Baw Baw, but unfortunately a severe storm had left several trees over the access road to the Mt Erica car park. We decided to head to St Gwinear car park and depart from there. With only an hour or so of light remaining we walked the 3kms to the campsite nestled between St Gwinear and Camp Saddle (on the Alpine Walking Track). It was a very chilly night and we woke to a very stiff tent and frost all around! It is one of our most favourite spots to camp as you have the entire valley to yourself!



Photo taken the next morning!

  


On the way to our first night camp, we started to glimpse patches of snow here and there. This became more than just a glimpse as we started walking the next morning. We decide to head toward Mt St Phillack, the Alpine Walking Track welcomed us with mud, snow, rivers of water running down the track all making the going very slow and quite tiring. Mental note to self......doing a couple of walks to work with a 15kg pack doesn't constitute fitness training! After reaching Mt St Phillack (not very far 2kms....) we continued to St Phillack Saddle. It was at this point we had the choice to head over to Baw Baw or continue onto Mt Whitelaw and Stronachs camp.

We decide on heading to Baw Baw. We took a track that started around 100 metres up from the sign post which led as to Sandys Flat and West Tanjil Creek. We walked up onto the Ski fields following the Village Trail and had a pleasant lunch in the Village.


Where was that track?

West Tanjil Creek

I've got to say that we were both pretty buggered! Andrea was feeling better than I was but it was a very hard slog all morning. So far we had travelled around 7kms...it felt like twice that!The Village Trail does a circuit around the ski fields after lunch we continued to follow the circuit....from here the day developed into a real slog. We found the track directly up to St Phillack Saddle that commences at Baragwanath Flat. It looked okay but as we progressed it was far from it. The photos tell the story, but once again it was mud, water and snow...finding the track with limited signage was impossible. By the time we got back to St Phillacks Saddle we had covered 8kms through scrub that tore at our legs, mud that clogged our boots and snow which had us off track on several occasions.

The decision to head back to Camp Saddle and possibly old faithful for the night was made quickly as we were extremely tired by now. For the first time during the walk we actually felt like we were walking down hill. This was a huge relief to our wearisome legs. We arrived at our campsite about 6.5 hours after departing, having covered around 14 kms. We ate a slow dinner and headed into the tent soon after and both were a sleep before it was dark!

 

We were going to explore the valley up into Mustering Flat, but by the look of the overgrown track we decide to head up to the summit of St Gwinear and then back to the car. 

Not a creek?

What started out as a regular walk in the park turned into a good strength builder and a sharp awakening to the work we need to do before the Overland Track. Mt Baw Baw is a wonderful place for a walk. It is quiet and peaceful and provides space for the brain to clear the cobwebs!

Baragwanath Flat

 

 

Baw Baw, what a great training run...I think?

Next Trip - Brisbane Ranges!



Brisbane Ranges - June 2012

Okay, it is time to test our gear in the winter and with the weather report looking.........well, looking like a mixed bag we head to The Brisbane Ranges. The three day hike along The Burchell Trail extends for 38kms and we were walking north to south. Wendy and Frank decided to join us, initially we were going to camp at Fridays Campsite on the, you guessed it, Friday but, the weather was less than pleasant so we decided for a morning start instead.

We met up with Frank and Wendy at Boars Gully Campground to do a car shuffle. They piled into our car and we headed for Steiglitz. The walk can commence in a number of locations but we left from The Pines car park.

The weather was trying to improve but as we walked we had our jackets on, then off, then on, then bugger it, we'll leave them on! The entire length of The Burchell Trail covers a variety of terrains which never leaves one bored, from narrow tracks to roads, to steep accents and descents, rock scrambles, muddy trails and river rock hopping. 



Old Mill Campsite

We arrived at Old Mill Camp early afternoon, plenty of time to get a fire going and prepare for the evening. The sun had a minutes opportunity to pop its head out just before setting below the hills surrounding our camp. It was a lovely night by the fire with the occasional star-glimpsing opportunity.

The next morning wasn't so favourable as the weather closed in once we had eaten breakfast. breaking camp in the rain went well and we discovered we can take down our tent while leaving the fly erected. Regardless of the weather the walking was enjoyable and as mentioned diverse. The Grass trees (Xanthorrhoea) are prevalent and provide a garden like appearance to the bush.  

At the start of "the drop!"

Little River

The weather eased as we descended down into the Little River area. On arrival at the campsite much criticism was given to the fire provided, although after some thought we considered the fact that we had a river view, with a pool beside our open fire... to be a selling point. It wasn't long after our arrival that we were belted by a hefty shower of rain. Luckily we had everything organised so we remained dry. Once again we finished the night with a fire, not quite as inspiring as the evening before and a little damper. Bed at 7pm is a tad early, but after the 17km walk we were happy to relax in our sleeping bags. Ironically, the clouds dissipated and the stars burst into life.

With clear skies the inevitable occurred and our tent and everything around was covered in ice! Awesome! Warm porridge for breaky and a chilly pack up and we were on our way. While cold to start the sun soon warmed us nicely and we continued our walk to Boar Gully.
All in all an enjoyable walk with a wide variety of terrain to challenge and enjoy.

We would like to head back in the Spring as the wildflowers would add another dimension altogether. Oh.....wet, cold weather gear, big tick!

Thanks Frank and Wendy!

Cathedral Range April 2012

Cathedral Range  - Round 3

With the forecast of 20 degree weather, probably the last for a while, the Cathedral Range was calling so back we went. This time with Mic and Robyn for their first time hiking the Range with newly acquired gear. Finally busting through the Friday afternoon traffic, fresh air and beautiful mountains imposed themselves on what was a busy week of work.

Arriving at The Jawbones car park, both the North and South Jawbones wait like sentinels, prepared to scrutinise your every step up the Jawbones Track. Both Andrea and I felt really comfortable with the step climb....the training at Baw Baw and even a day walk at Wilhelmina Falls was paying off! The encroaching darkness soon took over and torches were required to walk the last few hundred metres to The Farmyard.

We shared the campsite with another couple who disappeared into their tent very early, while we sat around eating fillet steak and drinking Chandon in celebration of Robbie's birthday.The stillness of The Farmyard was interrupted only by the awesome light show of the Milky Way and the occasional shooting star....oh, and the Friday night flights from Sydney.

Mic and Mark and the view back to The Sugarloaf

Saturday was forecast to be around 22c and fine and we weren't disappointed with the day. Blue skies were the order and as we walked along the Ridge Track the view into the cloud covered valleys below was brilliant. The track was still a little over grown and the walk maintains a high level of challenge as you have to rock hop for the length of the path. It is a great workout for the calves! We did a side trip to the Cathedral, at 840m it isn't the highest mountain we have been to but it has spectacular views down into the valleys and across to the surrounding mountains. 

Andrea navigating the Ridge Track

From the Cathedral it is down hill....all the way! (a great workout for the thighs). We stopped at Ned's Saddle for lunch before continuing on to our campsite at Ned's Gully. We took a swim, actually it was more like a splash, in the freezing Little River to freshen up before relaxing and cooking dinner. Once again, night approached quickly and with the darkness a drop in temperature left us heading for our tents fairly early.

Overnight two claps of thunder signalled a change in weather and the steady patter of rain on the Marmot provided us with our first test in the rain. Fortunately, the rain eased just after waking so we were able to pack up without interuption. The return walk was via the Little River Track and St Bernards Track. (currently closed due to logging of the Pine Forest).

Another fantastic weekend, the walking provided us with the challenges we require to build our fitness and experience walking. It also promotes the removal of cobwebs built up from the daily routine of work.

Thanks Mic and Robyn for a great weekend and Elise for being an awesome editor!

Mic and Robyn negotiating the rocky terrain

Baw Baw National Park

30/3/12 - 1/4/12

A 4pm departure saw us arrive at the Mt Erica car park in time to complete the 35 minute walk to Mushroom Rocks, with ample time to set up camp and cook dinner before settling in for a cosy night in the Marmot! After a very leisurely start we walked steadily up hill to Mt Erica at 1509m. and while there are teasing views from various points along the way the bush is the real delight. 

 We continued along the Baw Baw Plateau to Camp Saddle before heading to Mt St. Gwinear. Overlooking the Thomson Dam and surrounding Mountains the views are beautiful. We returned along the track to Mustering Flat - (or so we were told) and spent a very private night on our own little stretch of paradise (see pic below). We woke the next day, again after a leisurely lay in and wandered back to our car. The walk back down is obviously fast especially with 'Fast Forward' leading the way. 





Fast Forward leading the way!

Nestled between Mts St Phillack and St Gwinear
looking over Cascade North Creek valley

Mitchell River and Bryces Gorge

 March long weekend

Doomed to failure with a flooded river, swollen creeks and flat tyres the weekend finished with a spectacular walk around the Bryces Gorge walk.

We started out with plans to walk the Mitchell River Gorge but heavy rains over the previous weeks made getting along the gorge impossible. WE began the walk at the Den of Nargan CP only to be stopped at the first river crossing. It was a raging torrent so we high tailed it back up the hill. We drove to Billy Goat Bend and setup camp for the night. The following morning we set off on our journey along the Mitchell and as you can see by the pictures the water was certainly up! Unfortunately a walk along the river was not to be. We decided to bush bash our way back to the road and continue from there…this was harder than expected but after a couple of hours of hard slog we made it to the road. Once again we were stopped in our tracks by a creek crossing too deep to wade through. It was at this point we abandoned our walk and returned to BGB camp ground.

The decision was made to head towards Licola and do Bryces Gorge the following day (Richard and Liz, with flat tyre and crappy spare headed towards Bairnsdale and then on to Canberra, Andrea and I with not so crappy spare tyre headed to Licola.)

Pieman Falls

Conglomerate Falls

Bryces Gorge was spectacular. The weather was superb and the walking absolutely beautiful. Pieman and Conglomerate Falls were in full flow. We continued around the circuit and camped at Guy’s Hut for the night. With a camp fire and a bottle of wine from Licola General Store a brilliant end to what was an interrupted weekend walk.

Guys Hut

The things you see!

Cathedral Ranges

17/2/12 – One night

A quick return visit to the Cathedral Range once again commencing with the walk up the Jawbones track…am I getting accustomed to this climb? We spent the night at the Farmyard before walking back along the Ridge to the Sugarloaf. The walk along is challenging with lots of rock hopping and short climbs made even more difficult with our packs. I love this sort of stuff while Andrea has a different perspective. We finished the walk by returning to the Jawbone CP along Cathedral Lane. This time we had added some new gear....yep, there was no going back now.

We picked up a Marmot Earlylight 3P from Sierra Trading Post...special deal that arrived in Australia for around $180. While the tent is considered a three person it would be a fun night  of 1, 2, 3, roll over! Still, there is plenty of space for the two of us with great vestibules for gear and possible cooking in inclement weather.

Packs was another well considered purchase in the end we went for Osprey packs from Paddy Pallin. So far so good. Andrea's is a 65 litre and mine 70 litre and there is plenty of room for our gear.

Most of our gear is now coming from www.hiking.com.au we are very pleased with the service and deliver as well as the price. I will do a separate post about our gear.

Well, once again we enjoyed our little sojourn and no doubt will be back for another training run. The views along the way are spectacular and well worth the effort. While only a fleeting visit the Range never disappoints.

Like the hat!

Cathedral Ranges 14/1/12 – 3 nights.

The first trial….would we like it? I knew that I would, it was all up to Andrea and the result speaks for itself. The Jawbones Track is not an easy starter as it is a steep climb from start to the end. Only takes around 45mins but it certainly gets the heart rate up.

Overnight at the Farmyard was very pleasant. We continued the walk to The Cathedral and boy was it a struggle. The bush had taken over and the going was very tough and slow. It was also a fairly warm day so we were consuming fluids by the litre. We did a sojourn to The Cathedral before resting for lunch at Ned’s Saddle. The final hour down to Ned’s Gully was easy, open walking. We had a quick (chilly) swim in Little River and relaxed at the campsite. The following morning we returned to the car via Cathedral Lane.

While there were the occassional tough section the walk overall is extremely enjoyable. The open ridge line provides wonderful views into the valleys below. As mentioned the weather was particularly warm so plenty of fluids were the order of the day. Water on the range is difficult to come by. I have walked the ridge on numerous occasions and have always been able to source water from a small water source about 100m down the Jawbones track from The Farmyard. Often having to fill the bottles from the water running off a leaf, it is still fine for drinking (with the obvious boiling or preparation).